DUBAI, April 6: Airstrikes carried out by Israel and the United States on Iran killed more than 25 people on Monday, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing war. Explosions echoed across Tehran, where low-flying jets and multiple strikes were reported.
One airstrike hit near the Sharif University of Technology, causing damage to nearby facilities. Among those killed was Maj. Gen. Majid Khademi, the intelligence chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Additional strikes targeted cities including Qom and areas near Tehran, adding to the rising death toll.
A separate attack struck the South Pars gas field, the world’s largest natural gas reserve shared with Qatar, raising concerns about energy security and global markets.
The strike highlighted the growing risk to critical infrastructure as the conflict widens. Iran responded with missile attacks on Israel, hitting the northern city of Haifa, where four civilians were killed in a residential building.
Iranian missiles and drones also triggered air defence systems in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, reflecting the regional spillover of the conflict.
At the center of the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil shipments that Iran continues to restrict.
Donald Trump has warned Tehran to reopen the waterway or face severe attacks on its infrastructure, including power plants and bridges. His deadline for action has added urgency and tension to an already volatile situation.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are underway. Mediators from Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey have proposed a 45-day ceasefire and reopening of the strait to allow time for negotiations toward a permanent peace.
The proposal was sent to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff, but neither side has responded so far.
The war, which began in late February, has already killed thousands, displaced large populations, disrupted global energy supplies, and raised growing international concern over the risk of further escalation. (AP)
